Car Insurance and “Crash-Proof” Cars
Imagine a car that’s so safe it’s always on the lookout for ways to avoid a crash. That could become a reality in future, as manufacturers race to be the first to bring out a “crash-proof” car.
As recently as 30 years ago, fastening your seat belt seemed like a revolutionary life-saving measure, but since then cars have become safer.
The biggest cause of accidents is driver error*, so it’s important to remember that even the safest car needs a safe driver. But could yet more advances in technology lead to fewer accidents and Car Insurance claims? And would drivers be happy for their car to be “driven” by a computer?
New cars already have airbags, anti-lock braking systems and crumple zones, and there are more safety initiatives being created all the time.
Crash avoidance technology – with systems that alert drivers to danger and may even be able to take action to prevent accidents – could cut the number of crashes on Britain’s roads. Apart from the obvious benefits of this, fewer car accidents could lead to fewer Car Insurance claims and therefore a reduction in premiums as drivers keep their no claims bonuses.
Even if most accidents are caused by drivers not paying attention or not reacting quickly enough, new technology could be their “eyes and ears”.
New systems could be introduced to monitor blind spots and check that drivers are alert, which could come in particularly useful on long journeys when they’re tired or tend to lack concentration.
Electronic stability control, which is already available on some new cars, will be able to detect when a skid is about to happen, and help prevent it.
Some cars also come with devices that warn drivers of a collision ahead if their car drifts out of a motorway lane, as well as headlights that improve night-time visibility by pivoting around bends.
In the future, drivers might also benefit from new braking technology which can bring your car to a stop when other vehicles get too close, and cruise control, which automatically maintain a safe speed and distance from other cars. Controversially, technology will also be able to prevent drivers from breaking the speed limit.
Although some drivers might not want to hand over control to their cars, it’s hard to argue with the fact that the new technology will make journeys safer. If all else fails equip your home or workplace with some road safety equipment such as speed bumps, wheel stops and corner guards.
[*] Source – Department for Transport (www.dft.gov.uk)
